Bayou Bakery Closing on the Hill

Sad news for the Hill — Bayou Bakery will close its coffee bar and eatery on the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital’s lot (901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) sometime in the next two months. Owner David Guas announced the closure in a statement March 23.

“The Capitol Hill neighborhood is a great community, and it felt very much like New Orleans to me in so many ways,” Guas wrote. “I have a strong love affair with the building — one with outstanding character, amazing history, and a connection to my hometown.”

The retrofitted historical carriage house from 1864 won Bayou architectural awards for its preservation, but the space didn’t fit the café fare style offerings — a small restaurant would likely have worked better, Guas said. He still has the original Bayou Bakery site at 1515 North Courthouse Road in Arlington.

It won’t remain empty for long, though. Chef and restaurateur Aaron Silverman has plans to take over Guas’ lease, as first reported by the Washingtonian. Silverman has started and manages award-winning restaurant Rose’s Luxury (717 Eighth St. SE) and Pineapple and Pearls (715 Eighth St. SE). He plans to use the Bayou space to expand the day café at Pineapple and Pearls. It would serve it’s regular menu during the day and wine in the evenings.